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Routes · Americas

Bogotá to the Dominican Republic: the Samaná Peninsula

Bogotá → Samaná → Las Terrenas

Samaná Bay
"View of Samaná Bay from the Top 1.jpg" by Danu Widjajanto, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons· licence

Humpback whales, waterfalls & palm beaches Best season (general guide): Jan–Mar (whales)

The Samaná Peninsula, in the north-east of the Dominican Republic, is greener and quieter than the big resort areas. This route spends three nights in Samaná and three in Las Terrenas. From Bogotá you'll connect to Samaná El Catey or Santo Domingo.

Every winter, humpback whales gather in Samaná Bay to breed.

Whale-watching boats leave from the town in season.

Across the bay, Los Haitises National Park has mangroves, caves and limestone islands.

Las Terrenas is a beach town on the north coast. El Limón waterfall is reached on foot or horseback through the forest.

January to March is the whale season.

Good to know: Choose operators that follow whale-watching rules.

Samaná town has a waterfront with seafood restaurants and boats to the islands. Cayo Levantado, a small island in the bay, has a beach for a swim after whale watching. Los Haitises trips by boat pass mangroves and caves with ancient rock art. Las Terrenas has long beaches lined with palms and cafés, with French and Italian influences in the food. El Limón waterfall is reached by a short hike or horse ride; wear good shoes, as the path is muddy. Local fish cooked in coconut sauce is a regional dish. Merengue and bachata music fills the evenings. Use licensed taxis, and keep valuables out of sight on the beach. Bring sun protection and plenty of water.

Safety: Canada advises a high degree of caution in the Dominican Republic because of crime (advisory updated 26 May 2026). The US rates it Level 2 (issued 12 Jun 2025).

Spend a quiet afternoon in Las Terrenas at a beach café, watching the fishing boats come in, and keep one free morning for a second whale trip if the first is cut short by weather.

Suggested outline

  1. Bogotá

    Start

  2. Samaná

    By air · 3 nights suggested

    A bay where humpback whales gather.

  3. Las Terrenas

    Overland · 3 nights suggested

    A beach town on the north coast.

    Las Terrenas beach
    "Las Terrenas beach 3 banner.jpg" by File:Las Terrenas beach 3.JPG : Captain-tucker derivative work : Barbe-sauvage, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons· licence

Day by day

  1. Day 1 · Samaná — Arrive in Samaná· Bogotá → El Catey (by air), then El Catey → Samaná (overland)
  2. Day 2 · Samaná — Whale-watching boat
  3. Day 3 · Samaná — Los Haitises by boat
  4. Day 4 · Las Terrenas — Drive to Las Terrenas· Samaná → Las Terrenas (overland)
  5. Day 5 · Las Terrenas — El Limón waterfall
  6. Day 6 · Las Terrenas — Beach day
  7. Day 7 · Las Terrenas — Travel home from Las Terrenas· Las Terrenas → El Catey (overland), then El Catey → Bogotá (by air)

A suggested pace only; expedition days are set by the operator.

Flights, leg by leg

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Samaná

Nearest airport: El Catey Search fares · El Catey ↗

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